Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, Manchester, M32 0TH

Contact: Natalie Owen  Democratic & Scrutiny Officer

Items
No. Item

12.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 49 KB

To receive and if so determined, to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 30th April, 18th June, 25th June and 23rd July, 2015.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Public Protection Sub-Committee meetings held on 30th April, 18th June, 25th June and 23rd July 2015 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

13.

REVIEW OF PRIVATE HIRE OPERATOR CONDITIONS pdf icon PDF 8 MB

To consider a report of the Head of Regulatory Services.

Minutes:

The Head of Regulatory Services submitted a report requesting Members to consider additional conditions to the private hire operator conditions and a revised list of penalty points be introduced for non-compliance to address a number of issues, including new requirements for the operator to keep more detailed records of vehicles and drivers licensed by other authorities.

 

All Trafford Private Hire operators were invited to comment on the proposed new conditions between 24th April 2015 and 30th June 2015.  Three responses were received which were detailed in the report.

 

Representations were received at the meeting from several members of the taxi trade.

 

RESOLVED: That the proposed new operator conditions with the amendments in Appendix C of the report be adopted after consideration of the consultation responses.

14.

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE HACKNEY CARRIAGE/PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS pdf icon PDF 2 MB

To consider a report of the Head of Regulatory Services.

Minutes:

The Head of Regulatory Services submitted a report requesting Members to consider proposed changes to the Hackney Carriage/Private Hire driver application requirements in order to reduce delays in the application process whilst maintaining driver standards.

 

A member of the Sub-Committee raised a concern regarding removing the knowledge test and preferred to keep some form of testing and commented that applicants could be granted a licence for a set period of time and be required to pass a test within a year for new applicants.  He also commented that he would like to know the content of proposed induction course in particular, the child sexual exploitation awareness section and the cost of the course.

 

Representations were made by several members of the taxi trade. The Chairman requested that all comments be submitted to the Licensing Department during the consultation period.

 

              RESOLVED –

             

(1)          That the Sub-Committee agreed, in principle, to:

·         Extend the range of acceptable qualifications to prove English language skills;

·         Remove the requirement to pass a local area knowledge test but introduce a condition that all drivers must carry a working satellite navigation system; and

·         Extend the length and scope of the driver induction course.

 

(2)          That the Sub-Committee agreed to a four week consultation exercise with the hackney carriage and private hire trades and the public.

 

(3)          That the Sub-Committee agreed to receive a further final report at its next available meeting after the consultation.

 

 

15.

AMENDMENTS TO HACKNEY CARRIAGE AND PRIVATE HIRE POLICY AND FEES FOLLOWING THE DEREGULATION ACT 2015 pdf icon PDF 81 KB

To consider a report of the Head of Regulatory Services.

Minutes:

The Head of Regulatory Services submitted a report informing Members of changes to the legislation affecting hackney carriage and private hire licences; and proposing amendments to the fees for driver and operator licences to reflect the changes in national legislation.

 

Questions were raised by several members of the Sub-Committee.

 

            RESOLVED –

 

(1)          That the Sub-Committee agree that from 1st October 2015 all private hire operator licences are issued for five years except applicants for a new licence can apply for a one year licence.

 

(2)          That the Sub-Committee agree that from 1st October 2015 all new and renewed hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licences are issued for three years; except in certain circumstances, namely;

 

·      Where an applicant wishes to have a one year licence;

 

·      Where the applicant is due to retire or cease being a licensed driver;

 

·      Where an applicant’s right to work visa is due to expire;

 

·      Where matters arise that the Sub-Committee or Licensing Manager believe make it appropriate, in the circumstances, to issue a licence for less than three years.

 

(3)          That the proposed fess for a five year private hire operator’s licence and a three year hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence be advertised in a local newspaper and be introduced from 1st October 2015, subject to no objections being received.